Selling expenses do not include tax components like sales tax and octroi for assessable value computation.

Tax elements such as sales tax, additional sales tax, surcharge on sales tax, turnover tax, octroi and entry tax were treated as outside the scope of deductible selling expenses for determining assessable value. The analysis distinguishes "selling expenses" from tax components and notes that the certificate relied on covered items not shown in the price list or annexure. It also records that the contention was not raised before the lower authorities or in the grounds of appeal. On that basis, the claimed tax elements were not deductible in arriving at assessable value.

---

---

Issues: Whether tax elements such as sales tax, additional sales tax, surcharge on sales tax, turnover tax and octroi or entry tax could be treated as deductible selling expenses for the purpose of arriving at the assessable value of the goods.

Analysis: The claim was confined to expenses said to fall within the permissible deductions recognised by the Supreme Court. However, the certificate relied upon referred to tax elements not shown in the price-list or annexure. The expression "selling expenses" was held to be distinct from tax components such as sales tax and octroi. It was also noted that this contention had not been raised before the lower authorities or in the grounds of appeal.

Conclusion: The claimed tax elements were not deductible as selling expenses in determining the assessable value.

---